Exail delivers K-Ster mine countermeasure drones

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded a significant contract for several hundred additional K-Ster mine neutralization vehicles to the manufacturer Exail. The total value of the order is estimated at €40 million. The autonomous systems are intended for use by various European navies. The procurement is part of a framework agreement concluded in 2024.

The order underscores the strong commitment of European naval forces to comprehensively modernize their mine countermeasures (MCM) capabilities through the introduction of autonomous systems. Exail, the European market leader in this field, is playing a central role in the transition to unmanned, automated, and more efficient MCM operations.

Vehicles from Europe

The K-Ster vehicles ordered will be produced at Exail’s assembly lines in Ostend, Belgium. The plant opened in 2022 and now supports major MCM modernization programs. “We are very proud that European navies are once again placing their trust in our mine countermeasure solutions,” said Jérôme Bendell, head of Exail’s Maritime Systems business unit. “This new order confirms both the proven operational reliability of K-Ster and Exail’s central role in supporting the modernization of NATO’s MCM capabilities. With our now fully expanded site in Ostend, we are ready to support navies in deploying next-generation MCM capabilities.”

What are the strategic objectives?

The additional K-Ster systems contribute directly to securing sea lanes, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and improving control of the underwater domain. These aspects are considered important strategic priorities for European nations.

Internet:
https://www.exail.com

Photo: Exail